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Lou spends every Saturday with Grandad and Pops. They walk to the library hand in hand, like a chain of paper dolls. Grandad reads books about science and design, Pops listens to rock and roll, and Lou bounces from lap to lap. But everything changes one Saturday. Pops has a fall. That night there is terrible news: Pops will be confined to a wheelchair, not just for now, but for always. Unable to cope with his new circumstances, he becomes withdrawn and shuts himself in his room. Hearing Grandad trying to cheer up Pops inspires Lou to make a plan. Using skills learned from Grandad, and with a little help from their neighbors, Lou comes up with a plan for Pops.





Discussion Questions:

1. What is your favourite thing to do on a Saturday?

2. At the library, Grandad and Pops both enjoy different activities. What is your favourite thing to do in the Library?

3. At lunchtime, Pops invents a new meal - spaghetti on waffles with "hot sauce for zing." If you could invent a new meal, what would it be?

4. In the story, Grandad's "three P's" are perseverance, persistence and patience. What do these words mean?

5. How do the "three P's" help Lou build the contraption?

6. After Pop's fall, he won't come out of his room and Grandad and Lou eat alone. The author writes, "They add hot sauce to every meal. Neither can taste the zing." Why do you think Grandad and Lou can't taste the zing? How do you thing Grandad and Lou are feeling?



Additional Resources and Printables





















A Video for More Fun!


We'd love to hear some of your answers to the discussion questions and see videos of your Rube Goldberg Machines. you can share them with us on social media or by email cplstaff@cogeco.net

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